Full Press Release Details
Heron Therapeutics Reports Positive Results for Post-Surgical Pain Program
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. May 14, 2014
Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HRTX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has selected HTX-011, a unique combination product utilizing its proprietary Biochronomer polymer-based drug delivery platform, as the
lead product candidate for its post-surgical pain program. HTX-011 is designed to slowly release the local analgesic agent bupivacaine and the NSAID meloxicam locally at the site of the surgery over 3-5 days. By slowly delivering these agents
directly to the location of the pain, lower doses can be used, which should result in greater efficacy with a lower risk of side effects.
animal model, HTX-011 significantly reduced mean pain intensity compared to the current market leader, Exparel for up to 72 hours following surgery. Based on these results, the company has
initiated a Phase 1 enabling toxicology study, to be followed by the initiation of a Phase 1 study in the fall.
There is still a significant need
to improve pain relief and reduce the use of opiate analgesics post-surgery. We are excited that our program has the potential to address these issues better than currently available treatments, commented Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D., Chief
Executive Officer of Heron Therapeutics. Having selected a lead product candidate for this program, which includes two well-known approved drugs, and which has demonstrated significant efficacy in an animal model of post-surgical pain, we look
forward to initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial this fall, quickly to be followed by Phase 2 studies.
About Heron s Post-Surgical Pain
Heron is utilizing its proprietary Biochronomer polymer-based drug delivery platform to develop drugs designed to extend the duration of
action of known active ingredients to address important unmet medical needs. In November 2013, the Company announced movement into full development of an established local anesthetic for the treatment of post-surgical pain formulated with its
Biochronomer extended release technology. In recently completed, animal models of post-surgical pain, the Company s drug candidates
demonstrated statistically significant pain relief for five days, representing the potential to significantly reduce the need for opiates post-surgery and the length of post-surgical hospital
stays. Heron s lead product candidate in this program, HTX-011, is a unique combination of local analgesic agent bupivacaine and the NSAID meloxicam utilizing its Biochronomer extended release technology.
About Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
(formerly A.P. Pharma, Inc.) is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing products using its proprietary Biochronomer polymer-based drug delivery platform. This drug delivery platform is designed to improve the therapeutic profile of
injectable pharmaceuticals by converting them from products that must be injected once or twice per day to products that need to be injected only once every one or two weeks. The Company s lead product candidate, SUSTOL (granisetron), is
being developed for the prevention of both acute- and delayed-onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the potential approval of SUSTOL and the potential timing for such approval, if approved at all; risks relating to progress in research and development of
HTX011, including the timing of planned toxicology and clinical studies; risks related to other programs; risks related to the launch and acceptance of new products and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution investors that forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date. We do not intend to update them except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact:
Jennifer Capuzelo, 858-703-6063
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
Stephen R. Davis, 650-366-2626
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer